Spring. At last there are signs everywhere that early Spring has arrived. On the 9th of March I noticed at least 2 Queen bees searching for nest sites and the frogs mating and laying spawn at Caldene Fields
At Toad Holes Beck today there were further welcome signs with Blackthorn (left ) and Lesser Celandine (right) starting to flower.
Primrose by the water course.
And to complete the day 2 returning Meadow Pipits flew north
What a beautiful morning! so I thought I work the local patch today mainly for two reasons. Firstly has ‘ Doris ‘ the latest storm to batter the UK brought any unusual seabirds inland and secondly to look for any signs of early spring.
It wasn’t long as in Raw Nook Nr there were 4 Mistle Thrushes chasing each other about and no doubt looking for the best nest sites…
Then in Toad Holes Beck a Song Thrush was singing his little heart out…I didn’t find any seabirds blow off course….but I recorded 32 different species with the highlight been a male Linnet in song at Caldene Fields which is encouraging as the species was common in years gone by.
Fungus may not be everyones cup of tea…but I am trying to get to grips with the fungi that can be found in our recording area and today I found a new species.
It is the Jelly Ear Fungus Auricularia auricula-judae. Which is common throughout the UK
Yesterday our group had a work day at Raw Nook nature reserve. The reason for the work was to clear Silver Birch seedlings and saplings which have a detrimental effect on the heather which forms a lowland heath habitat at the site. This type of Lowland heath habitat and the species it attracts is uncommon within inner cities like Bradford and has to be preserved.
APOLOGISE FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE PHOTOS…
Members of the Low Moor & Oakenshaw Conservation Group …mentally preparing for the hard work ahead..
So the enjoyable work involves using Matlock’s to permanently remove the Birch saplings
The work is very rewarding and a minimum of 104 Birch saplings were removed in just two hours…Excellent work…
And just look what was achieved…about a 10 metres square ( Thanks Richards…) which will allow the heather to flourish and in turn will benefit a wide array of insects including the Heath Rustic moth (uncommon in the Bradford area) however the species may possibly breed at the site as I have recorded it 4 times in the last couple of years.
Leaving the site tired but with a big smile on my face and a warm glow of satisfaction on what excellent work we had all done….these Scalet Felp Cup fungus which are easy to see at the site made me realise what a wonderful nature reserve we have on our own doorstep…
The pair of Gadwall that I left Toad Holes Beck have returned. I found the pair yesterday on one of the ponds, so where they have been is anyone’s guess!
Little else was about.
I can now give an update where the ringed Black-headed gull I found on the 23/1/2017 at Harold Park Lake originated from.
I have done some reasearch and found that the bird was first ringed at Stavanger Norway on the 22/4/2016 and was aged as a 3cy bird. It remained in and around the area of Stavanger and was sighted twice once on the 30/6/2016 feeding with other gulls and again on the 9/7/2016.
I then found the bird at Harold Park Lake on the 23th and 25th of January 2017. To me this suggests the bird (given it’s age ) may be moving south in autumn to the UK and possibly returning to breed in Norway…
Today I was still on my quest to find Waxwings but still no joy so ended up Harold Park Lake to see if anything new was about. However, the lake was half frozen and thankfully a good number of Black-headed Gulls were standing on the ice. I started checking them only to discover that 3 of them were ringed.
I have sent details of the bird, ring and location to the BTO (Euring) so fingers crossed I will be able to see where my friend has come from…I will update when i get some news.
Received an email today from Barbara Rogers that approx 8 to 10 Waxwings were in the tall trees at the end of the cricket field at East view, Dyehouse Road around mid morning.
So they are here..keep an eye out and please send me any sightings or even better photos of these lovely birds please
The pair of Gadwall that were at Toad Holes Beck on the 28/12/2015 have returned to the site but with another male Gadwall…
I have received a report from Phil who lives in Wyke that at 11.12 on the 5th of January near to St Mary’s Infant School Wyke he saw a Short eared Owl been mobbed by crows. Phil thinks the birds may have been quartering fields alongside Leeds & Whitehall Road/ The Wyke Lion area.
This is excellent news. I have only seen 1 SEO locally and that was in Oct Oh..about 15 years ago.
If anyone see this bird would you please contact me. Thank You
Yes my final walk around the patch today of 2016…Sadly the Gadwall have left the area now but at least there on my list for 2016. Caldene fields held a Pied and a Grey Wagtail. At Raw Nook Nr there were 2 Goldcrest feeding and 4 Bullfinches.
And at Toad Holes Beck there was a nice flock of feeding finches with at least 42 Goldfinches, 1 Siskin, 5 Chaffinch and 2 Bullfinch.
Goldfinches at Toad Holes Beck
A VERY HAPPY NEW TO ALL…
